Formants

Formants are the natural resonant frequencies of the vocal tract that shape the sound of speech. When we speak, our mouth, throat, and tongue modify the airflow, amplifying certain frequencies while reducing others. These amplified frequencies, called formants, give vowels their distinct sounds; for example, the difference between an "ee" and an "ah" vowel. By analyzing the pattern and position of these formants, we can identify specific speech sounds and even individual voices. Essentially, formants are the signature resonances that give spoken sounds their unique quality.